Meanwhile, Barcelona are stepping up their interest in Reds keeper Pepe Reina as they look to replace Victor Valdes

Liverpool's desire to keep Luis Suarez will be tested to the limit by big-spending Atletico Madrid.

And the bad news for Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, is the oil-rich Azerbaijan government are throwing their vast wealth behind the project to take the star striker to Span!

Bizarrely, the state government in Baku are using the country's oil billions to promote their nation across the world, and part of that strategy was to sign a multi-million shirt sponsorship deal in January with the Madrid club.

The lure of Madrid though, could be great for the Uruguayan because they will not only be able to offer an increase on his Anfield wages, but as the current Europa League holders would be confident of becoming a legitimate force in the Champions' League next season.

The Spanish club have already confirmed their place in next season's competition with a solid third place behind Barcelona and neighbours Real in La Liga, and they are looking for a star name to lead their European campaign.

They also have Uruguay international defender Diego Godin on the books, who just happens to be a close friend of Suarez, and was once linked with Liverpool because of that relationship. Another of the striker's countrymen and friends, Cristian Rodriguez also plays for Atletico.

The Azerbaijan government would relish the link with Suarez, after making several bids through sport and culture in recent years to increase their nation's profile. They have invested heavily in failed Olympics bids, won the rights to host the 2015 European games, and even hosted last year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Columbian striker Falcao has confirmed he will leave in the summer, and Chelsea now seem 100 per cent certain to capture the exciting south American after Real Madrid pulled out of the running for his services.

That will give Atletico the war chest to seriously test Liverpool's resolve to keep Suarez, and there are other factors in favour of their bid.

Head coach Diego Simeone is familiar to Suarez after starring for Argentina during most of his formative years, and the Atletico chief is now considered one of the most highly rated bosses in the game, after winning both the Europa League and the European Super Cup.

Atletico have also started work on a new state of the art 70,000 seat stadium which is due to be completed at the end of next year...and they would love to have a striker of Suarez's stature to open it.

One factor in Liverpool's favour would be the centre forward's reluctance to join a team just below the European elite, but the English club may find Atletico's bid may pave the way for similar bids from even bigger clubs, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich maintaining an interest.

John Powell / Getty

Pep's challenge: Reina would relish a return to Barcelona

Liverpool are facing a serious threat from Spain for the services of their players, with Barcelona stepping up their bid to sign keeper Pepe Reina.

It would be an emotional return to the Nou Camp for Reina, who briefly held the first team place there, before being axed in favour of Valdes. The Spanish international has always maintained he would love to return one day, and Anfield boss Rodgers is likely to grant his wish.